Method for providing consumers with a food storage kit

ABSTRACT

A method of providing a food storage product dispensing kit for de-bulking food includes a plurality of re-sealable primary bags and a plurality of secondary pouches, wherein the secondary pouches are adapted and configured to be worn and inverted over a user&#39;s hand as well as minimize freezer burn of food items therein.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of and claims the benefit of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/180,314 filed on Jul. 11, 2011, which isa continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/011,576filed Jan. 21, 2011. Each of these applications are incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to storing food items, and moreparticularly, to a method for providing consumers with a kit forrelatively long term freezer storage by home consumers of bulk purchasedfood items.

2. Background of the Related Art

Buying food items in large quantities typically provides cheaper optionsfor consumers. Further, bulk packaging at the retail point of sale isalso recognized as a more environmentally friendly delivery method.However, for perishable items, home storage and consumption beforespoiling can be challenging. Despite storage in a refrigerator or even afreezer, spoilage from freezer burn and the like can reduce the benefitsof bulk buying and even prevent consumers from utilizing such efficientmethods.

In an effort to overcome food storage challenges, a great deal oftechnology has been developed. For example, vacuum bags, double layerbags, and bags with specialized preservative inner coatings have beendeveloped to help maintain freshness and/or provide enhanced storage andprotection. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,670 issued on Jan. 6, 1998 entitledGlove Bag; and U.S. Pat. No, 6,394,652 issued on May 28, 2002 entitledFlexible Bags Having Stretch-To-Fit Conformity To Closely AccommodateContents In Use. Also see U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos.:2002/0064582 published on May 30, 2002 entitled Shelf Stable FoodProduct And Mix Kit; 2003/0232112 published on Dec. 18, 2003 entitledPackaging System Assembly For Carry-Out Food; and 2005/0281921 publishedon Dec. 22, 2005 entitled Multiple-Option Meal Kit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Effectively marketing kits to de-bulk food items is partially dependentupon consumer acceptance. By providing the necessary items as a kit, thede-bulking process is made easier and more convenient. Hence, consumeracceptance is more likely. By further providing a unified package withan advertising insert having indicia such as branding information,coupons, helpful information and instructions, consumers are more likelyto adopt a practice of bulk purchases with at home de-bulking forfreezer or other long term storage.

The subject technology presents a kit to provide consumers with an easyand efficient method for preparing bulk or large quantities of fooditems as smaller portions. The subject technology is directed to smallerbags for holding smaller portions of the food items with a larger bagfor holding the filled smaller bags.

In one embodiment, the subject technology is directed to a food storageproduct dispensing kit including a first package having at least twore-sealable primary bags, and a second package having at least foursecondary bags. A volume of two secondary bags is less than a volume ofeach primary bag. The first and second packages are unitized byover-wrapping the first and second packages together. The food storageproduct may further include an advertising insert. The primary bags canbe gallon sized and the secondary bags can be 8 inches wide by 11.5inches deep.

Another embodiment is directed to a food storage product dispensing kitincluding a first package comprising at least two re-sealable primarybags, a second package comprising at least four secondary bags, whereinan expanded volume of two secondary bags is less than an expanded volumeof each primary bag, and over-wrapping on the first and second packagesto create a unitized product. An advertising insert can be included aspart of the kit and the secondary bags can have a printed area forwriting information thereon related to food therein.

Still another embodiment is directed to a food storage kit including apackage having a plurality of small bags for storing food items, and atleast one large bag having a sealing zipper and defining an interior forstoring at least two of the small bags having the food items therein.The package is unitized by sealing the plurality of small bags and atleast one large bag in a container. Preferably, the plurality of smallbags are dispensed one bag at a time from a coffin box. In anotherembodiment, the small bags are dispensed from a roll. The small bags aresized and configured to be worn like a glove to pick up food, thenturned inside for storage of food therein. To minimize freezer burn, theplurality of small bags have an inherent clinginess. In one embodiment,the small bags may be stretch bags for clinging to the food itemstherein. The at least one large bag can also be designed to minimizefreezer burn.

The container is variable such as a box, a bag, two boxes, a pluralityof boxes, two joined boxes, two over-wrapped boxes, a plurality ofjoined boxes, a plurality of over-wrapped boxes, a container withindicia as well as compartments, two bags, a plurality of bags, andcombinations thereof. One version of the container includes an insertcontaining instructions for using the kit and advertising information, afirst coffin box for containing at least one large bag, and a secondcoffin box for containing the plurality of the small bags, wherein thecontainer is over-wrapped about the insert, which at least partiallysurrounds the first and second coffin boxes.

Yet still another embodiment is directed to a portioning kit for foodstorage including a thick outer bag with a sealing zipper for storing alarge amount of food, a plurality of thinner bags, the thinner bagsbeing designed to cling to food, thereby minimizing freezer burn, and apackage defining an interior having the thick outer bag and theplurality of smaller bags sealed therein. The smaller bags do not need asealing zipper. The thin bags can be arranged as a perforated roll andthe package is a box for containing the perforated roll and the thickouter bag. Preferably, there are a plurality of thick outer bags and thepackage is a first box for containing the plurality of thick outer bagsand a second box for containing the plurality of thinner bags.

Another embodiment is directed to a food storage product dispensing kitfor de-bulking food including a plurality of re-sealable primary bagsand a plurality of secondary pouches, wherein the secondary pouches areadapted and configured to be worn and inverted over a user's hand aswell as minimize freezer burn of food items therein. An advertisinginsert may include branding information, de-bulking instructions, foodsafety information, a product sample, and a coupon. The bags, thepouches, and the advertising insert are unitized in a single package forconsumer convenience.

It should be appreciated that the present technology can be implementedand utilized in numerous ways, including without limitation as a kit, aprocess, an apparatus, a system, a device, and a method for applicationsnow known and later developed. These and other unique features of thetechnology disclosed herein will become more readily apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosedsystem appertains will more readily understand how to make and use thesame, reference may be had to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a kit having two coffin boxes in astacked relationship with an advertising insert, unitized for retailsale in accordance with the subject technology.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the two coffin boxes and advertisingsheet of FIG. 1 separated and opened to show the items containedtherein.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bag shown in circle 3 of FIG. 2,wherein the bag includes a zipper.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pouch shown in circle 4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pouch of FIG. 4, containing ahamburger patty.

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 but shown in partial cutaway to illustratethe patty as fully contained within the pouch.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the wrapped patty being received withinthe bag for long term storage.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bag containing a plurality ofwrapped patties, staged for long term storage within a freezer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure overcomes many of the prior art problemsassociated with de-bulking food items for long term storage and thelike. The advantages and other features of the technology disclosedherein, will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skillin the art from the following detailed description of certain preferredembodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings which set forthrepresentative embodiments of the present invention and wherein likereference numerals identify similar structural elements.

Unless otherwise specified, the illustrated embodiments can beunderstood as providing exemplary features of varying detail of certainembodiments, and therefore, unless otherwise specified, size, shape,features, components, modules, elements, and/or aspects of theillustrations can be otherwise modified, combined, interconnected,sequenced, separated, interchanged, substituted, positioned, and/orrearranged without materially departing from the disclosed systems ormethods. It is also noted that the accompanying drawings are somewhatidealized in that, for example without limitation, only one possibleversion of many is shown as would be appreciated by those of ordinaryskill in the pertinent art.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a kit 100 for de-bulkingfood items is shown. The kit 100 may include any number of coffin boxes102, 104 in a stacked relationship. The boxes 102, 104 may be adheredtogether or even a single box with various components inside. Two boxes102, 104 are shown for holding different bags, which facilitatesmanufacturing processes and providing alternative and additional bags inadditional boxes sold separately or as part of a similar kit.

An advertising insert 106 helps present a unified appearance when theboxes 102, 104 and insert 106 are packaged together for retail sale as aunitized kit 100. Over-wrapping such as with clear shrink wrap (notshown explicitly) can be used to package the boxes 102, 104 and insert106. The advertising insert 106 would typically include brandinginformation 108 such as a logo and additional indicia 110. The indicia110 would typically include coupons for additional storage bags or kits,helpful information such as proper food handling techniques to avoidsalmonella poisoning, nutritional information, instructions on how touse the kit 100 and the like to help and encourage consumers adopt apractice of de-bulking items with the kit 100.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of a kit 100 separated andopened to show the items contained therein is illustrated. The kit 100includes an additional item 112 as a supplement to the advertisinginsert 106. It is also envisioned that the additional item 112 could bea plurality of items such as a sample of an additional product like analternative bag, one or more coupons, a recipe, a survey, a sweepstaketicket possibly tied to an Internet site with a code, or other itemsthat may be unitized along with the boxes 102, 104.

The kit 100 includes a plurality of closure or zipper bags 114 stored inthe coffin box 102. The closure bags 114 are stacked and folded into thecoffin box 102. In one embodiment, the closure bags 114 are ZIPLOC®DOUBLEGUARD® double layer freezer gallon bags available from S.C.Johnson & Son, Inc. of Racine, Wis. The closure bags 114 may be any sizesuch as gallon or quart sized.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the closure bags 114 include a zipper 118 orother locking mechanism adjacent the mouth or opening 124 to selectivelyseal contents therein as is well known in the art. The subjecttechnology is also particularly well-suited to use double zippermechanisms such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,137,736 issued on Nov. 21,2006 to Pawloski et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 7,410,298 issued on Aug. 12,2008 also to Pawloski, each entitled “Closure Device for a ReclosablePouch” and incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Theclosure bags 114 may also be single walled bags. Exemplary thickness forsuch closure bags 114 is about 0.0016 inches {0.00406 cm}.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the kit 100 also contains a plurality of arelatively thinner pouches 116 stored in the coffin box 104. The thinnerpouches 116 provide excellent adherence to items placed therein suchthat a closure mechanism is optional. A relatively larger number of thepouches 116 are provided on a perforated roll 120 for easy dispensingfrom the coffin box 104.

The boxes 102, 104 may be permanently adhered together or formed as asingle box with two compartments so that the bags 114 and pouches 116remain coupled throughout the life of the kit 100. In anotherembodiment, the bags 114 and pouches 116 are provided in a retail shelfbag, which is printed with branding information, instructions and thelike. The bags 114 and pouches 116 could still be provided in boxes 102,104 within the retail shelf bag or even in additional bags that may alsobe suitable for food storage.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective view of a pouch 116 shown incircle 4 of FIG. 2 is illustrated. The pouch 116 is preferablyfabricated from a thin film so that the pouch 116 will conform and clingto items placed therein and itself as shown in FIG. 5. By clinging tothe stored items, the detrimental effects of long term storage such asfreezer burn are reduced and alleviated.

Exemplary film thickness for the pouch 116 ranges from about 0.0002inches {0.00051 cm} to about 0.0016 inches {0.00406 cm}. Preferably, thefilm thickness is about 0.0004 inches {0.00102 cm}, which providesexcellent clinginess and protection without excessive cost. When thepouch 116 conforms well to the food item, freezer burn is minimized. Inone embodiment, the pouch 116 is fabricated from an embossed film.Embossed pouches 116 provide relatively better clinginess and release ofmost food items. Additionally, the pouches 116 may be treated with aninner coating (e.g., silicone, Teflon and the like) or a slip additivein the film resin to ease unwrapping food items.

The De-Bulking and Storage Process

Upon buying the kit 100 and some bulk food item(s), users may divide thebulk food into smaller portions or single servings to be inserted intothe pouches 116. In one example, the user purchases a kit 100 and a fourpound package of ground beef to be formed into eight half pound servingsof hamburger patties. Referring now to FIG. 5, a perspective view of apouch 116 from the kit 100 is shown containing one of the hamburgerpatties 122.

The pouch 116 is sized and configured to fit over the typical usershand. Thus, a user may form the hamburger patties, clean their hands,and invert the pouch 116 over their hand. The user may also portion thebulk hamburger by wearing the pouch 116 as a glove and form the pattieswithin the pouch after inverting the pouch 116 about the portion. Thepouch 116 may have a lip offset at the opening 126 to make openingeasier. Using the pouch 116 as a glove, the user can pick up a singlehamburger patty 116, then slide the pouch 116 over their hand and thehamburger patty 122 to enclose the hamburger patty 122 in the pouch 116without again coming into contact with patty 122. The pouch 116 can thenbe tightly wrapped or stretched about the hamburger patty 122 tocompletely enclose, cling to and protect the hamburger patty 122 asshown in FIG. 6.

In one embodiment, the pouch 116 is eight inches wide and eleven and ahalf inches deep. The eight inches of width provides ample room toinvert the pouch 116 over one's hand while still being able to easilyinvert the pouch 116 over a grasped item. The eleven and a half inchesof depth provides sufficient interior room to completely enclose evenlarge items such as a small roast or a plurality of items such aschicken or turkey breasts. The pouches 116 could vary in any size suchas, in width, from six to nine inches and, in depth, from seven tofourteen inches. Preferred sizes for the pouch 116 include: 9 inches ofwidth by 7, 9, 11.5 or 13.5 inches of depth; 8 inches of width by 7, 9,11.5 or 13.5 inches of depth; 7 inches of width by 7, 9, 11.5 or 13.5inches of depth; and 6 inches of depth by 7, 9, 11.5 or 13.5 inches ofdepth.

Still referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, since the pouch 116 is typicallyformed from a think HDPE film or a stretchy cling film, the pouch 116adheres to itself such that a further closure mechanism is notnecessary. However, the pouch 116 could have a zipper as noted above orother interchangeable closure mechanism like a slider zipper, hook andloop closure, an adhesive closure, magnetic closure etc. In oneembodiment, the pouch 116 has a foldover cuff as is commonly seen onsandwich bags.

Referring now to FIG. 7, once the hamburger patty 122 is wrapped in thepouch 116, the wrapped patty 122 is placed with the bag 114 for longterm storage. The bag 114 is sized and configured to hold a plurality ofbulk items that have been proportioned down into the pouches 116. Asshown in FIG. 8, a plurality of wrapped patties 122 have been placed andsealed with the bag 114 for long term storage within a freezer. Oncefrozen, the hamburger patties 122 will be prevented from freezingtogether because of the individual wrapping in the pouches 116. In afour pounds of ground beef example, the bag 114 would hold eight halfpound patties 122, each wrapped individually in a pouch 116. Afterfreezing, one or more patties 122 can be removed for defrosting andsubsequent consumption while resealing the bag 114 and returning theremainder to the freezer.

As would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art,the subject technology may utilize any type of bag, pouch, package, boxand various other storage containers to form a kit with particularadvantages for certain sizes and configurations. For example, the bags114 and pouches 116 may include a write-on label or printed area fordocumenting the contents and date of storage. The bags 114 and pouches116 could also include lip lines, pleating, grip strips, and otherfeatures to enhance the performance thereof. The bags 114 and pouches116 could be fabricated from polyethylene (PE), low-density PE (LDPE),high-density PE (HDPE), ecologically friendly PE such as from sugarcaneethanol and the like. Ideally, the bags 114 and pouches 116 are flexibleeven when frozen, inexpensive to manufacture, and microwavable inaddition to the features noted above. In one embodiment, the bags 114and pouches 116 are packaged in a bag that can itself be used as are-sealable storage bag for the pouches 116. In another embodiment, thebag 114 and/or the pouch 116 are provided with a mechanism to extractair from the respective contents after closing.

Kits in accordance with the subject technology may utilize anycombination of bags, pouches and packaging now known and laterdeveloped. For example, the bags 114 and pouches 116 may be gallon,quart or some other size. Typically, the pouches 116 are relativelysmaller than the bags 114 so that the bags 114 may hold a plurality ofrelatively full pouches 116. Accordingly, a typical kit 100 will includemore pouches 116 than bags 114. In one line of kits 100, ten, twenty orthirty bags 114 in a box 102 are unitized with sixty, one hundred twentyor one hundred fifty pouches 116 in a box 104, respectively.Supplemental boxes of additional bags 114 and pouches 116 of variousquantities and sizes may be sold separately or additionally unitizedinto kits of three or more boxes. Common counts for bags 114 and pouches116 are anywhere from 10 to 200. Generally, the kits will include atleast a first bag for storing a plurality of pouched items as well as aplurality of pouches for storing food items therein to be placed in thefirst bag. An advertising insert and other items along with wrappingunitize these items and provide information to assist with consumeracceptance.

In view of the above, the novel features of kits in accordance with thepresent technology advantageously provide an extremely convenient andefficient way for consumers to take enhanced benefit from bulkpurchasing of food items by properly and easily storing some or all ofthe bulk purchase and avoiding waste.

Method of Using the Kit

FIG. 9 provides a flowchart which generally provides steps for a methodby which a producer of such a food storage kit 1000 as is describedherein may provide such kits to a consumer.

A producer of plastic bag may provide a first package to a consumer1005. In some embodiments, the first package comprises at least twore-sealable primary bags. The producer may then provide a plurality ofsecondary bags 1010 to the consumer. The provider may then optionallyprovide a set of instructions to the consumer 1020. In certainembodiments, the set of instructions (i) directs the consumer to put aportion of, or otherwise divide, a larger foodstuff into two or moresecond or more secondary bags 1022. In some embodiments, the set ofinstructions (ii) optionally directs the consumer to fold an open end ofa filled secondary bag to substantially enclose the portion of foodstuff1024. In certain other embodiments, the set of instructions (iii)directs the consumer to further store the two or more filled secondarybags into at least one primary storage bag 1026 to provide a filled,sealed primary storage bag or combined unit; and (iv) store the at leastone filled primary storage bag or combined unit into the consumer'sfreezer 1027. As described herein, in certain nonlimiting embodimentsthe gauge of the secondary bags is less than the gauge of the primarybags. In certain other nonlimiting embodiments, the plurality ofsecondary bags is provided in the first package, although in otherembodiments the plurality of secondary bags is provided in a secondpackage.

In another embodiment, the producer may provide a first package to theconsumer 1005. The first package may comprise at least two re-sealableprimary bags. Again, the producer may then provide the consumer with aplurality of secondary bags 1010 and then provide the consumer with aset of instructions 1020 wherein the instructions: (i) direct theconsumer to put a portion of a larger foodstuff into two or moresecondary secondary bags to provide filled secondary storage bags 1022;(ii) direct the consumer to combine the filled secondary storage bagswith at least one primary storage bag to provide a filled primarystorage bag or combined storage unit 1026; (iii) direct the consumer tofreeze the filled primary storage bag or combined storage unit 1027;(iv) freeze the filled primary storage bag or combined unit 1028; and(v) direct the consumer to remove one or more frozen filled secondarybags for thawing 1029. In certain embodiments the instructions (i)(1)direct the consumer to substantially cover the portion of foodstuff withwith secondary bag after step (i) 1022 and before step (ii) 1024. Inother embodiments, the set of instructions (o) directs the consumer toplace the consumer's hand inside a secondary bag, grab a portion offoodstuff with the outside of the secondary bag, and inverting orreversing the inside of the secondary bag with the outside of thesecondary bag 1023 as described in greater detail herein.

In yet another embodiment, the producer may provide the consumer with aplurality of secondary bags 1010 and then provide the consumer with aset of instructions 1020. In this embodiment, the instructions maydirect the consumer to combine the plurality of secondary bags with afood storage kit 1030 wherein in an embodiment, the food storage kitcomprises a first bag and at least two secondary bags. In otherembodiments, the food storage kit comprises at least one primary bag.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All patents, published patent applications and other referencesdisclosed herein are hereby expressly incorporated in their entiretiesby reference.

While the invention has been described with respect to preferredembodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatvarious changes and/or modifications can be made to the inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as definedby the appended claims. For example, each claim may depend from any orall claims in a multiple dependent manner even though such has not beenoriginally claimed.

1-8. (canceled)
 9. A method of providing a food storage kit to consumerscomprising the steps of: a. providing a first package, wherein the firstpackage comprises at least two re-sealable primary bags; b. providing aplurality of secondary bags; c. providing a set of instructions to aconsumer that (i) directs a consumer to put a portion of a largerfoodstuff into two or more secondary bags to provide filled secondarystorage bags; (ii) directs the consumer to combine the filled secondarystorage bags with at least one primary storage bag to provide a combinedstorage unit; (iii) directs the consumer to freeze the combined storageunit; and (iv) remove one or more frozen filled secondary storage bagsfor thawing at a subsequent time.
 10. The method according to claim 9wherein the primary bags are about gallon sized.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 10 wherein the volume of the secondary bags is lessthan the volume of the primary bag.
 12. The method according to claim 9wherein the set of instructions (c)(i)(1) directs the consumer tosubstantially cover the portion of foodstuff with with secondary bagafter step (c)(i) and before step (c)(ii).
 13. The method according toclaim 9 wherein the set of instructions directs the consumer to placethe consumer's hand inside a secondary bag, grab a portion of foodstuffwith the outside of the secondary bag, and reverse the inside of thesecondary bag with the outside of the secondary bag.
 14. A method ofproviding a supplement to a food storage kit to consumers, the methodcomprising the steps of: providing a plurality of secondary bags forstoring portions of a quantity of food; and providing a set ofinstructions to a consumer that directs the consumer to combine thefilled secondary bags with the food storage kit, wherein the foodstorage kit includes at least one primary bag for storing at least twofilled secondary bags.
 15. The method according to claim 14 wherein thefood storage kit comprises a first bag and at least two secondary bags.16. The method of claim 15 wherein the volume of two secondary bags isless than the volume of each first bag.
 17. The method of claim 15wherein a gauge of the secondary bags is less than a gauge of the firstbag, and the gauge of the secondary bags is provided such that thesecondary bags are clingy material to reduce captured air and, in turn,reduce freezer burn.
 18. The method according to claim 14 wherein theset of instructions directs the consumer to wear the secondary bags overa hand when portioning and shaping a bulk item.
 19. The method accordingto claim 18 wherein the set of instructions directs the consumer toinvert a filled secondary bag over a portion therein.
 20. The methodaccording to claim 18 wherein the set of instructions directs theconsumer to reshape a portion of the bulk item within the secondarybags.
 21. The method according to claim 9 wherein the secondary bags arerectangular shaped and clingy to reduce captured air and, in turn,reduce freezer burn.
 22. The method according to claim 9 wherein theplurality of secondary bags and instructions are provided in the firstpackage as the food storage kit.
 23. The method according to claim 9wherein the plurality of secondary bags and instructions are providedwith a second package, and the first and second packages areover-wrapped together to provide a unitized product.
 24. The methodaccording to claim 9 wherein the secondary bags are rectangular shapedand the open end adheres to itself as a closure mechanism to reducecaptured air.
 25. The method according to claim 9 wherein the secondarybags are without a closure mechanism.
 26. The method according to claim9 further comprising the step of tightly wrapping the portions withinthe secondary bags to completely enclose, cling to and protect theportions.
 27. The method according to claim 9 further comprising thestep of stretching the secondary bags about the portions within thesecondary bags to completely enclose, cling to and protect the portions.28. The method according to claim 9 further comprising the step ofproviding the secondary bags as a perforated roll.